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How a heartfelt mission, a friend’s support, and real classroom stories shaped my very first language guide.
An Unexpected Opportunity
Writing a book was never something I had planned — not even once. But sometimes, life surprises you with an opportunity you just can’t ignore. For me, it came through a conversation with my dear friend Satwika, an editor at Kesaint Blanc in Jakarta. She believed my years of teaching Bahasa Indonesia to expats could turn into something bigger — something in print.
At first, I hesitated. I was a teacher, not a writer. But as I reflected on my students' common struggles—their need for a simple, practical, and real-world guide to Bahasa Indonesia—I knew this was something I had to do.
From Classroom Notes to a Practical Guide
My students had always told me, “We wish we had a book like this when we first arrived.” They were overwhelmed with vocabulary lists and formal grammar, but what they truly needed were phrases that helped them buy groceries, talk to their housekeepers, or chat with a taxi driver.
So I began writing Get Talking Indonesian — not as a textbook, but as a survival guide. I wanted it to be real, usable from day one, and grounded in the kinds of conversations my students were already having. I turned to them for input — What confused you? What phrases do you actually use every day? Their stories shaped the entire book.
Voices from the Classroom
The book evolved into a 10-day audio course packed with essential conversations, cultural tips, and pronunciation help. It wasn’t just about teaching Bahasa Indonesia — it was about helping expats feel confident and connected in their daily lives. Two of my students, Mr. Leland Jourdan and Mrs. Susie Wertanen from the USA, even volunteered as the voice talents for the audio recordings. That gesture touched me deeply. It showed how language learning isn’t just about words — it’s about relationships.
Mr. Leland Jourdan and Mrs. Susie Wertanen from the USA
A Team Effort Behind the Scenes
While I focused on the content, Satwika and the amazing team at Kesaint Blanc handled the production, editing, and marketing. I’m forever grateful — I didn’t have to go through the publishing process alone. It was a true collaboration, built on trust and shared vision.
Behind the scene: at the recording studio, Kesaint Blanc Jakarta
Making an Impact Beyond the Classroom
The day Get Talking Indonesian was published was unforgettable. But the real reward came from knowing the book could do even more. With every purchase, a portion of the proceeds went to support my Senyum Posyandu program through the Fully Belly Initiative. It became more than a book — it became a way to give back to local communities.
Me and Senyum Posyandu Volunteers, Depok Indonesia
The Beginning of a Bigger Journey
Looking back, writing this book was a turning point. It opened my eyes to how teaching and writing could come together to serve a bigger purpose. It also marked the start of a new chapter in my life — one that would take me far beyond the classroom.
In the next story — Part 2: Practical Bahasa Indonesia Learning Tools for Expats — I’ll share how this first step turned into a growing collection of books, expanding the ways I support expats in Indonesia.
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Where to Find My Books
Where to Find My BooksReady to start learning Bahasa Indonesia in a practical and enjoyable way? Explore my books on Google Play Books:👉
Check out my books here!
Check out my books here!
